This paper describes a study designed to collect quantified observational data on the behavior of children and teachers throughout the day at three typical quality day care centers. From 50 to 55 hours of observation were completed on five randomly-chosen 3-year-olds in each setting. While the number of subjects and centers was limited, the…

A formal observation technique was used in an urban classroom context to assess the verbal and nonverbal-visual behavior of 17 Navajo and 7 Caucasian children. Two statistical techniques revealed significant intergroup differences in verbal and nonverbal-visual style. ( Author)

A three-year study investigated the territorial behavior of children in a spatially unstructured library setting. The children's various solutions to the lack of spatial structure are described, and implications for libraries dealing with groups of children are discussed. (Author/CLB)

Relationships were assessed among five perspectives of children's adjustment: teacher, parent, peer and self-ratings, and behavior observations. Secondary purposes were to examine relationships between adjustment and achievement measures and to compare urban vs. suburban, male vs. female, and referred vs. nonreferred children on adjustment…

Instructions between 12 third-grade teachers and their students were coded by observers who also rated the quality of teacher instruction. Questionnaires measured teachers' perception and attitudes. Teachers showing more concern for lower achieving students also received lower ratings on their teaching quality. (Author/BS)

Results generated by peers, teachers, and unbiased observers converged in some behavioral domains and diverged in others. All three sources provided similar pictures of the relation between aggression and status, although observations of third grade boys did not yield sufficient frequencies of aggression to allow meaningful conclusions. (RH)

A test of predicted anxiety which focused on public speaking was given before and after two life skills courses in an English college. The students' own reports and observations by the author supported the results, which indicated a reduction of anxiety in the course which used simulations. (Author/LRW)

Examined relationship between advocacy of humanistic and confluent educational teaching values and nine humanistic, confluent patterns of classroom interaction. Describes the development and initial validation of a behavioral instrument, the Humanistic-Confluent Interactional Analysis Category System, for examining daily classroom interactive…

Examines the definitions of scientific observation used in assessing students in Great Britain for the General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSE). Proposes an instruction framework that supports such definitions. Provides examples of observational tasks and some methods of evaluating them. (TW)

Presents the problem of evaluating teaching, especially in science education. Gives examples of science teaching skills that are difficult to evaluate. Gives examples of individual solutions being used. Announces a National Science Teachers Association survey of teacher evaluation and standards. (CW)

Considers both qualitative and quantitative research approaches on second language learning, with focus on second language classroom research. Concludes that both approaches are relevant to determining the important variables to investigate and the relationships those variables have to second language learning outcomes. (Author/CB)

Describes a successful, cost-effective program for at-risk preschoolers designed to improve youngsters' test scores and social habits and develop parents' skills. The Mascoutah, Illinois, program involves guided child observation by parents, individually designed home activities for kindergarten readiness, parent-child cooperation, and a high…

Children, aged three to seven years, were observed in spontaneous and structured situations using computer graphics and robots. It was found that computer graphics can enhance reflectivity and that robots present a rich problem-solving environment for pairs of children as they try to coordinate commands to one robot. (Author/BB)

This study investigated the effects of presentation mode--microcomputer versus paper text presentation--school grade, and reading ability on third and fifth graders' attention to and comprehension of simple reading tasks. Results indicate that despite the fact children overwhelmingly preferred the computer presentation, it did not result in better…

Describes a naturalistic study of preschool children's interactions with software, peers, and teachers as they explored computers. Results are presented as suggestions for teachers, program planners, and researchers, and address the issue of accommodating individual differences, planning for the role of teachers and aides, and keeping an open…